Obituary of Scott Robert Burns

Burns, Scott Robert, B.A., B.Ed., R.S.W., It is with great sadness that the family announces the death of Scott Robert Burns unexpectedly at his home in Sarnia on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the age of 54.  Scott was a loving father to his step-daughters Sandra Hext, of Toronto, and Jennifer Hext, of Belleville, who will forever miss him, and he saw himself as so very fortunate to have been their step-Dad.  Scott cherished the close and loving friendship he continued to have with his former wife, Jane (Burns) Johnston.  As a honourary member of the Wighton family, Scott enjoyed the love of Mark and Mary Anne and their family, and particularly loved his close bond with their grandchildren, Elli, Drew, and Abby Wighton.  Scott is survived by his sister, Susan Burns and her husband, Brian Brackett, of London, his brother Jeff Burns, Sarnia, his nephews Ryan Connors, Adam Connors, and Mark Brackett, and his niece, Meghan Connors.  He was predeceased by his brother Mark (1989), his mother, Bette (1996), and his father, Bob (2007).  Born in Sarnia on May 6, 1957, Scott obtained his Bachelor of Arts at Huron University College in 1979, and his Bachelor of Education from University of Western Ontario in 1980.  In 1987, he entered St. Peter's Seminary, studying for two years while considering the priesthood.  Scott was always drawn towards helping those people in our community that struggled, and his long career in social work enabled him to do just that.  As Manager of Community Support Services at Family Counselling Centre, where he had worked since 1991, Scott was able to touch the lives of many.  He was extremely proud of the depth of caring that his co-workers showed not only to the people they served, but to each other.  Scott was highly respected in the social services field, and his skill, compassion, and calm demeanour lent itself perfectly to the valuable work he did on the many committees he was on.  Outside of his work life, Scott continued to make a difference both in the community and personally.  He was proud to be a member of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries, and contribute to the important work of that agency.  He was a former board member of Big Brothers and the AIDS Support Committee.  His friendships, or 'chosen family' as he called them, were a vital and important part of his life and he saw himself as very blessed to have such caring and meaningful relationships.  Scott loved music, concerts, live theatre, coffee and newspapers.  Scott loved to travel, enjoying trips to Ireland, the Caribbean, and the east and west coasts of Canada.  Even with travel, he used his desire to give to others to travel with Rayjon to Haiti - trips that altered his life forever.  Friends and family may visit on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N. Sarnia. Prayers at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Tony Laforet on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, corner of Stuart and Devine Streets, Sarnia.  Cremation to follow with interment at a later date. As an expression of sympathy friends who wish may send memorial donations to Canadian MPS Society, Family Counselling Centre, Goodwill Industries, Canadian Diabetes Association, or the charity of their choice.  Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com. A tree will be planted in memory of Scott Burns in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 18th, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area